When it comes to the medical school journey, everyone has their own story, but there’s one big challenge most of us have to tackle: the MCAT. In this series, our Blueprint MCAT alumni share how they crushed the MCAT and made their med school dreams come true!
Everyone discovers their passion for medicine in their own way. Learn what drives former Blueprint MCAT student Maya, who achieved an impressive 528 on the MCAT!
My path to medicine has been shaped by both scientific curiosity and a deep commitment to people. When the pandemic disrupted my freshman year, I turned fear into action, joining a national research effort to understand how COVID impacted cancer patients. That experience taught me to see medicine on both micro and macro levels—individual lives and public health systems—and deepened my passion for research and equity.
Later, working as an EMT during COVID brought me face-to-face with the human side of medicine. I cared for patients who were scared, isolated, and often uninsured, and I saw how systemic barriers worsened already serious conditions. I also saw how a calm, kind presence could make all the difference. That experience solidified my desire to provide patient-centered care, especially for underserved populations.
My passion for wilderness medicine, solo-thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and leading backpacking trips have also tested my endurance and taught me to manage risk, stay calm under pressure, and connect meaningfully with others. These challenges—academic, emotional, and physical—have prepared me to enter medicine not just as a student, but as a person committed to growth and service.
Achieving a 528 MCAT Score
I started [MCAT prep] during a gap year. I used the Blueprint Self-Paced Course. I chose it for the comprehensive content, the customizable study planner, the advanced analytics for targeting my weaknesses, and the realistic representative practice questions.
Blueprint was instrumental for me to achieve my perfect 528 [MCAT] score. Thanks to the comprehensive prep materials, I was able to improve 20 points from my initial 508 score. Without the structure provided by Blueprint, it would have been much harder to master the content and prepare for the exam. I appreciated having the content presented in different ways. I liked being able to read the physical book and then watch the lectures with comprehension questions included throughout. I also really liked the easy-to-use and customizable study planner.
My Why
I want to become a doctor because I’m drawn to the intersection of human connection, scientific inquiry, and meaningful service. Working as an EMT during the height of the pandemic taught me how critical compassionate care is—especially when people are scared, vulnerable, or in pain. I want to be the person who shows up in those moments, bringing both competence and empathy.
At the same time, my work in clinical research taught me how rigorous inquiry can improve outcomes and drive systemic change. I’m motivated by the chance to care deeply for individual patients while also addressing the structural inequities that shape their health.
Ultimately, I hope to build a career that blends clinical care, advocacy, and research to improve access and outcomes for patients from all walks of life. My dream job is as a wilderness medicine physician, bringing healthcare to the most remote settings.
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Advice to Premeds
Don’t lose sight of the person behind the patient—or the person behind the premed. Medicine is a long path, and it’s easy to get caught up in checkboxes. But the experiences that make you a better human—quality time with loved ones, hobbies, adventures—also make you a better future physician.
Stay curious. Stay open. And build a support system that helps you remember why you started.
Want more inspiration? Check out more success stories from Blueprint MCAT alumni!
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Noor didn’t let imposter syndrome or Sauron the MCAT stop her from following her medical school dreams!
Prepping for the MCAT as a Parent: Morgan, a non-traditional student and incoming MS1 at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville had to figure out the best way to balance MCAT prep as a new parent.
How I Stayed Motivated During My MCAT Prep: Daniela, an MS1 at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, used her gap year to discover how medicine can combine all her interests and passions. She also achieved a 23-point MCAT score increase!
Conquering the MCAT as a non-traditional student may seem daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone! Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course, or the 1:1 support of a private MCAT tutor, Blueprint MCAT has the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style! With resources such as a powerful AI-powered MCAT QBank, representative full-length practice exams, and more, you’ll get all the practice you need to reach your goal score.
Blueprint MCAT is here to provide the support and flexibility you need to reach your score goals. Start your journey today by creating a free Blueprint MCAT account.
